chant

[ chant, chahnt ]

/ tʃænt, tʃɑnt /

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noun

a short, simple melody, especially one characterized by single notes to which an indefinite number of syllables are intoned, used in singing psalms, canticles, etc., in church services.

a psalm, canticle, or the like, chanted or for chanting.

the singing or intoning of all or portions of a liturgical service.

any monotonous song.

a song; singing: the chant of a bird.

a monotonous intonation of the voice in speaking.

a phrase, slogan, or the like, repeated rhythmically and insistently, as by a crowd.

verb (used with object)

to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, especially in a church service.

to sing.

to celebrate in song.

to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.

verb (used without object)

to sing.

to utter a chant.

Nearby words

chanson d'amour, chanson de geste, chanson de roland, chansonette, chansonnier, chant, chant de guerre pour l'armée du rhin, chantage, chantant, chantefable, chanter

Origin of chant

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English chanten < Middle French chanter < Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere to sing; (noun) < French chant < Latin cantus; see canto

Related forms

chant·a·ble, adjectivechant·ing·ly, adverbhalf-chant·ed, adjectiveun·chant·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chant

The owner of the original video of the “dead cops” chant told me it was taken on 32nd Street between 5th and Madison avenues.
The Monsters Who Screamed for Dead Cops|Jacob Siegel|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The same night the “dead cops” chant was recorded, two police officers were attacked on the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Monsters Who Screamed for Dead Cops|Jacob Siegel|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A car parked at a red light honked its horn in rhythm with the chant as the crowd passed in front of it.
‘They Let Him Off?’ Scenes from NYC in Disbelief|Jacob Siegel|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of the marchers began to chant at the anarchists, reminding them that the movement is bigger than them.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Chant: Ve-al kulam, Eloha selichot, selach lanu, mechal lanu, kaper lanu.
Jews and Non-Jews Need to Repent for the Sins of the U.S. and Israel|Rabbi Michael Lerner|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The chant quickened as the service drew to an end, and the candles burned low.
From Sea to Sea|Rudyard Kipling
When the time of his departure approached, he resolved to chant a Te Deum pontifically.
Les Misrables|Victor Hugo
They set up a chant, marking the time with a small wooden drum, and the boom of hollow bamboos struck endwise upon the earth.
The Fijians|Basil Thomson
He beats his drum and sings, while a woman within repeats the chant in a shrill voice.
Omens and Superstitions of Southern India|Edgar Thurston
The chant arose stronger and louder than ever before, and several drums rumbled at once.
The Delight Makers|Adolf Bandelier

British Dictionary definitions for chant

chant

/ (tʃɑːnt) /

noun

a simple song or melody

a short simple melody in which several words or syllables are assigned to one note, as in the recitation of psalms

a psalm or canticle performed by using such a melody

a rhythmic or repetitious slogan, usually spoken or sung, as by sports supporters, etc

monotonous or singsong intonation in speech

verb

to sing or recite (a psalm, prayer, etc) as a chant

to intone (a slogan) rhythmically or repetitiously

to speak or say monotonously as if intoning a chant

Derived Forms

chanting, noun, adjectivechantingly, adverb

Word Origin for chant

C14: from Old French chanter to sing, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere to sing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012